Landowner Information
Landowners – We Need You
If you are a landowner within the Middle Level you may be eligible to declare yourself as a Middle Level Commissioner and be part of the decision making as to how the legal duties, powers and responsibilities that come with being a Commissioner are discharged.
As landowners you have a long-term stake and a direct interest in the value of the prime agricultural land which is enabled by the Middle Level Commissioners’ infrastructure and operations.
Since 1810, the Middle Level has thrived because of the volunteer, hands-on contributions from landowners. However, landownership in the Fens has evolved significantly over the last 30-years and to ensure a resilient, positive, representative, and well-governed future, we need all today’s eligible landowners to come forward and to get involved.
Our relationship is currently with those we issue drainage rates to, which is not the landowner for tenanted land. There are circa 1150 ratepayers who benefit from Middle Level Commissioners’ infrastructure and operations. According to Land Registry (Nov 2025) there are 11,176 land titles registered within our rateable area.
We therefore need landowners to come forward and tenants to highlight the need and opportunity to those they tenant land from.
Who and what are Commissioners?
Commissioners are different to other Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) in that their composition and governance is rooted and formed from those who own land rather than those that are owner-occupier or tenant. They have their own legislation that predates the original Land Drainage Act 1918. The eligibility criteria for being a Middle Level Commissioner was defined within the Middle Level Act 1810 and then matured within the Middle Level Act 1862.
There are two categories of landownership that form the eligibility criteria – Private Land and Public & Charitable Land.
We acknowledge that the definitions and clauses within the Middle Level Acts do not fully reflect modern day business arrangements, for example; partnerships, limited companies or overseas investors. You will need to consider and make a judgement as to if and how your specific arrangements fit. We would need a new Act of Parliament to modernise the definitions.
Private Land
If you own 100 acres of land or more that is rated by the Middle Level Commissioners, then you are eligible to be a Commissioner. For land in joint ownership, if the area of rated land divisible by the number of owners is 100 acres or greater then all joint owners shall be entitled to act as a Commissioner.
In addition to the above, any Commissioners who owns 200 acres or rated land can appoint a deputy to act in their absence. Any Commissioners who owns 500 acres or rated land can appoint two deputies to act in their absence. People named as a deputy can only act for one Commissioner at a time.
No person holding a place of profit (from the business of the MLC) can act as a Commissioner or appoint deputies. For example, an employee of the Middle Level Commissioners cannot be a Commissioner.
If you meet this criteria, please complete the form below and return to enquiries@middlelevel.gov.uk
Form of Declaration – Private Land
Public & Charitable Land
A public body/corporation or trustees of charities that own over 100 acres of land rated by the Middle Level Commissioners are authorised to act as a Middle Level Commissioner.
When there is more than one trustee, committee, or guardian for the same land, only one person shall act as a Commissioner. One member or officer can act as a Commissioner on behalf of a corporation.
If you are a governance lead within a public or charitable body, please complete the form below and return to enquiries@middlelevel.gov.uk
Form of Declaration – Public & Charitable Land
What does being a Commissioner entail?
The Commissioners’ meet twice per year (April and November) and make key decisions as recommended to them by the Middle Level Board.
Annually at their November meeting they elect fourteen Commissioners to form the Middle Level Board alongside the Chairman who generally serves a five-year term. They also appoint a Vice Chairman (successor for the Chairman) and membership of the various Committees that have delegated powers or advisory roles.